Charles Lloyd Jones CMG (1932-2010), businessman, was the last Jones to preside over the department store David Jones, established by his great-grandfather David Jones in 1838. Second son of Sir Charles Lloyd Jones and his third wife, Hannah Beynon, Charles grew up in a grand Woollahra house, Rosemont, to which high-profile Australian and international guests were frequent visitors. Following an unproductive period at university, he began working at David Jones in 1952, spending a year at Bullock’s in Los Angeles before becoming a director of the family business in 1957. In early 1961, his brother David died, and Charles, by now a well-known bachelor about town, took his place as chairman. Under his leadership David Jones initiated garment awards that would evolve into the Australian Fashion Awards; opened the Market Street Food Hall; introduced its iconic black-and-white packaging; and expanded interstate and into California. Charles fostered the David Jones Art Gallery (established by his father in Elizabeth Street in 1944) while becoming a trustee and founding benefactor of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. From 1972 to 1988 he was consul-general of Finland; he was made a commander of the Finnish Order of the Lion. From 1980, when David Jones was sold to the Adelaide Steamship Company, his fortune drastically declined, but he retained many close friends until he died.
Gift of Mrs Lily Kahan 2017. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
© Louis Kahan/Copyright Agency, 2024
Lily Kahan (52 portraits)
On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves.
Sarah Engledow on a foundational gallery figure who was quick on the draw.
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